Over 1.3 lakh ration cardholders penalised in Kerala for priority card misuse

Ottapalam: The Civil Supplies Department has taken action against people who misused priority ration cards in the state. Over the past one and a half years, fines totalling Rs. 9.63 crore have been imposed. A total of 1.31 lakh ration card holders were found to have received benefits ineligible for their category. In addition to the fines, these cardholders were transferred to the general category. This figure is according to the Right to Information document from the office of the Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs Commissioner. The process of issuing priority ration cards to all those who applied is being followed by the imposition of fines against the ineligible.

The process of issuing priority ration cards to all eligible applicants continues, accompanied by penalties for those found ineligible.

The cases of ineligible cardholders were recorded between January 1, 2024, and May 31, 2025. Some were identified through complaints or direct inspections, while others voluntarily declared themselves ineligible. Of the total, 77,170 voluntarily moved to the general category, while 48,903 were identified during inspections and fined.

Action was also taken against 5,564 people based on complaints received. Among the cards found ineligible in the priority category were 23,143 Antyodaya Anna Yojana cards and 1.08 lakh Priority Household (PHH) cards. These were identified through the Operation Yellow project. Vacancies created by their transfer will now be allotted to eligible applicants.

Fines up to Rs. 3.5 lakh

In some cases, fines reached as high as Rs. 3.5 lakh. For example, a person in the Thamarassery Taluk Supply Office was fined Rs. 76,005. Other notable fines include Rs. 70,596 in Taliparamba, Rs. 70,565 in Aluva, and Rs. 67,121 in Vadakara, levied on cardholders. These fines include the market value of the goods purchased, in addition to the penalty.